15-462 Computer Graphics I
Assignments

The programming and written assignments are the heart of this course and count for 65% of your total grade. Much of what you learn in this course will be through doing these assignments. The programming assignments require heavy use of the OpenGL libraries. Like any large library, it has its idiosyncrasies and idioms. It will require some time to learn how to use it effectively, so you should start your assignments early and get help from the teaching assistants in the graphics lab (WeH 5336) if necessary.

There are 4 programming assignments and 4 written assignments. Programming assignments are scheduled for 2 weeks, the written assignments for 1 week.

Each student has 4 late days to be used at any time during the semester. For example, you might hand in Assignment 3 two days late and Assignment 7 two days late.

All assignments are single-student assignments. Do not copy any parts of any of the assignments from anyone. Do not look at other students' code, papers, or exams. The university policies on academic conduct will be applied rigorously.

  Out Type Points Assignment Due Solutions

1 Jan 16 P 100   Height Fields   Thu Jan 30   Movie (110MB, DivX 5 format)
2 Jan 30 W 50   Transformation and Viewing   Thu Feb 6 before class   Sample Solution
3 Feb 6 P 100   Mobile Animation   Fri Feb 21 (1 day ext.)   Movie (23MB, DivX 5 format)
4 Feb 20 W 50   Curves and Surfaces   Thu Feb 27 before class   Sample Solution
5 Mar 4 P 100   Roller Coasters and Splines   Thu Mar 20   Movie (23MB, avi)
6 Mar 20 W 50   Rendering   Thu Apr 3 before class   Sample Solution
7 Apr 3 P 150   Ray Tracing   Thu Apr 24   Movie (4.8MB, AVI) (also available in Quicktime)
8 Apr 24 W 50   Radiosity and Image Processing   Thu May 1 before class
  No late days!
  Sample Solution

P = Programming, W = Written

Programming Assignments

  • The programming assignments are generally given out on a Thursday and due in 2 weeks.
  • They must be handed in electronically any time on or before the due date.
  • Grading criteria:
    1. Correctness: does the program compile and run as prescribed?
    2. Functionality: which of the specified features have been implemented?
    3. Style: how clean and elegant is the code?
    4. Documentation: are there sufficient comments to understand the implementations?
  • Criteria not applied unless explicitly specified:
    1. Efficiency: choose clarity over efficiency in your code.
    2. Interface: concentrate on computer graphics, not human-computer interaction.
  • Extra credit may be earned for some assignment where specified.
  • Handin directory is /afs/andrew/scs/cs/15-462/students/userid/asstn/ for assignment n.
  • Some advice:
    1. Start your assignments early.
    2. Design your program from simple to more complex features.
    3. Finish implementations of the simpler specifications before moving on to more complex ones.
    4. Copy working code for parts of the assignment to the hand-in directory.
    5. Take advantage of the teaching assistants. They are eager to help you!

Written Assignments

  • The written assignments are generally given out on a Thursday and due in 1 week.
  • They must be handed in to the instructor by the end of lecture on the due date.
  • Grading criteria:
    1. Correctness for mathematical questions.
    2. Clarity and thoroughness for design or essay questions.
  • Extra credit may be earned for some assignment where specified.

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Frank Pfenning